When we became debt free back in November 2017 and I stopped working in May 2018 I planned on being a stay at home mom going forward. I guess technically I still am. After moving to Atlanta in June I was content being at home for a few months. Then I think like most moms I missed adult conversation and wanted to make sure that Baby HutchLife was getting the social interaction she needed. I was intentional about making sure Baby HutchLife had activities where she would meet other babies such as music class and swim lessons. She was thriving and still thrives with both. Mr. HutchLife and I can definitely see how these activities have helped her open up and interact with other children.
I tried to be intentional as well with meeting other moms. One day at the library with Baby HutchLife I saw a flier for a Moms Group. As it turns out it was just starting and the founder was moving back to Eastern Europe. She did tell me about the app Peanut which is like Tinder for moms. I hopped on that app and started reaching out to moms in the Midtown ATL area.
Thanks to Peanut I have 2 great mom friends (Mom K and Mom C)who live close by and we have bi-weekly play dates with our kids. The kids are all born within the same 7 days. Who knows how God did it but all 3 of us didn’t think we’d get pregnant and now all 3 of us are pregnant at the same time and due within a month of each other. What a miracle and a blessing! God is funny I tell you. We are all so happy for each other and all looking forward to our kids being friends for a long time.
With all of this happening I still felt like I needed to be doing something during the day. Mom C told me about MOPS (an international organization for Moms of Preschoolers) at a local church. I signed up right away and found a big, beautiful community of moms. The church also provides childcare during the meeting for moms. Over 200 moms during the day sessions who meet, talk about being moms, hear a word from a speaker, discuss the topic, share prayer requests and pray for one another. It was beautiful and helped fill a void I felt. While I had Carys go to the childcare facility the church had I loved the environment and the people who worked there and how they loved and sowed into the children. I wanted Carys to go more often but I wasn’t ready for her to be out of my sight lol. So I applied to work there and was hired and now Carys and I area at school M-F from 8:30am – 1:30pm. She has the opportunity to interact and socialize with other kids and I get the opportunity to work with great women and make some money as well.
Working at the daycare has been such a blessing to me and eye opening. I have always respected teachers but I have so much more respect for them, especially of little ones. I work with kids who range from 1 – 1 year and 5 months (beginning walkers). It is A LOT to take care of kids this age as they are all about exploring, eating and licking everything. We change a ton of diapers, feed snack and lunch, play with them and take them on buggy rides and walks. And then after taking care of them to come home and take care of Baby HutchLife, PHEW! But I wouldn’t have it any other way right now. Being able to love on all these kids and see how happy Baby HutchLife is coming to school and playing with the kids makes me happy.
Anyone who isn’t work ever feel like going back to work, if even for a shorter period of time? Not for the money, but for the interaction with adults and the adult conversation?
